Will Montreal Canadiens defenceman Andrei Markov remain in the KHL when the NHL lockout ends?
TVA reported Thursday on an interview Markov gave in Russia days ago in which the oft-injured player said he was undecided if he would return upon the lockout’s conclusion.
In a video interview posted online with a Russian sports outlet that occurred prior to Tuesday’s CBA proposal by the NHL, the 33-year-old Russian native said it was a “difficult question” whether he would remain with the KHL’s Vityaz Chekhov or come back to North America when the lockout ends.
“I can’t say right now anything if I’m staying or going back to the NHL, but we’ll see. When the time comes, then I’ll make a decision,” Markov said.
However, Richard Labbe of La Presse reports that Markov’s agent, Don Meehan, stated Markov would not stay in Russia if lockout ends.
“Andrei Markov’s agent tells me his client won’t stay in KHL when the lock-out is over,” tweeted Labbe Thursday after the Markov news caused a stir in Montreal.
In an email to La Presse, Meehan said the rumour is false.
After briefly taking part in the Tournée des Joueurs, the Quebec barnstorming circuit, Markov flew to Russia earlier this month. In six games with Vityaz Chekhov, the KHL’s penalty leaders, Markov has one assist.
Markov played for Dynamo Moscow, then of the Russian Superleague, during the 2004-05 lockout but returned to the Canadiens afterward. He holds both Russian and Canadian citizenship.
Due to knee injuries, the Russian has played only 20 games with Montreal the past two seasons. He signed a three-year deal with the Habs on June 23, 2011.
What’s new? Evgeni Malkin had another solid game for the spellcheck-defying Metallurg Magnitogorsk Wednesday, scoring one goal and assisting on another in his club’s 3-1 victory over Atlant. Geno has exceeded the point-per-game pace with 13 in 12 games played.
Highlights in English:
SKA forward Maxim Rybin was injured by a dirty blow to the head from Metallurg Novokuznetsk defenceman Alexei Grishin on Monday. And on Thursday the KHL Sporting and Disciplinary Committee dished Grishin a one-game suspension for this bit of nastiness:
More illegal hits!
This one (via Matias Strozyk), which occurred Wednesday, earned San Jose Sharks centre Tommy Wingels three games off the ice in Finland.